No computer, Book Review Monday, Walking Dead...

Hey folks, I know its been a week since my last post but my computer basically $h*t the bed and I can't scan any artwork in to post here. I promise I'll get back to the art next week (which there will be PLENTY of). In the meantime here are some things I've been reading and watching this past week and felt I needed to share with everyone.

First up, Book Review Time: Michael Crichton's PIRATE LATITUDES.
Fun, fun, fun! From start to finish this novel had everything you need in a pirate story. It is a far far cry from the usual Crichton works but as always, he nailed it. Crichton really did his research on sea faring and the pirate genre. The story was written with the typical characters and themes that you would find in most high seas swashbuckling adventure tales but he found a way to write it with his own flair. It was very fast paced, almost too much however in some parts. There were moments when the scenes seemed a bit rushed, just to get them in there. I must say however, that the pacing did lend to the thrill a minute aspect that I can only guess was the author's intention. I say 'guess' because this book was released after Michael Crichton's death in 2008 and I wonder if it would have even been released if he were still alive. I am glad it was though, because I thoroughly enjoyed the read. From our confident and able 'Privateering' Captain to the back-stabbing, untrustworthy pirate traitor; from the sniveling English official to the fearsome Spanish Captain of the Caribbean seas; from an impenetrable island fortress to a really pissed off Kraken this book has every type of character and exotic locale you can think of in an adventure story. You can perfectly visualize every part of the Caribbean, from the waters to the inland. Crichton has a great way of bringing the Caribbean to life in this story. It was a very simple, quick and entertaining read. If you are in the mood for something lighthearted inbetween some heavier reads then I highly recommend this book. Heck, if you're just a fan of pirates then go steal yourself a copy of this treasure! Well don't actually steal it, that would lead to an uncomfortable night in central booking with a large man named Bubba. Go buy it and enjoy! My rating 3.5 out of 5- Would have given it a 4 instead of 3.5  but again, some parts were rushed.

The Walking Dead on AMC...

Man was that a great first episode as well a great adaptation of the series. A 90 minute episode that literally went by so fast that I not only felt like it was a half hour but I was hungering for more (no pun intended). I love how the series is going to tackle a zombie apocalypse from a more human, heart felt point of view. The scene where our main character, Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes, leans down next to a crawling zombie and with almost tear-filled eyes tells her that hes sorry that this has happened to her. It shows that these were once people and that this is a tragedy that they have to continue on as these monsters. However, zombies must be dispatched so you can easily guess what happens next. Speaking of the zombies, how AWESOME do they look in this show? Great make up and special effects on the zombie characters. I am definitely hooked and can't wait to see where they go from here and how true-to-the-comic they will stay. Thumbs up! 5 out of 5! Must watch. And for crying out loud, if you've never read the comic or any comic go pick it up. Expand your horizons, its a great book!